Free health fair aims to help residents ‘live well’

The Heart of the Valley YMCA’s health fair is returning next week to help motivate those attempting to start the new year off right.

The 8th Annual YMCA Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Southeast Family YMCA.

More than 60 health experts and more than 30 health and wellness vendors including the American Red Cross, The Orthopedic Center and Crestwood Hospital are expected to attend. The fair is free and open to the public.

“It’s just great to get the community involved because everyone is focused on health and wellness this time of year,” said Sharon Allen, fitness and corporate wellness director. “Everyone is training and getting in shape, so we’re trying to help them by providing this free event.”

Attendees can help themselves to free cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body fat and vein screenings. There will also be free Body Pump, ZUMBA and Body Attack classes.

The Red Cross will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon.

Dr. Eric Henninger will answer questions about children’s health in a Q&A, registered Dietician Juliana Wright will speak present Cooking Light in the new year and officials from Crestwood will speak about living with diabetes.

Children are also invited to attend. There will be karate and cheerleading demonstrations, and GO!KIDS will host program for children that focuses on “making wise choices about what they eat and how they play.

Last year, the event drew more than 500 people. Allen said she is expecting an even bigger turnout this year.

“When we do an event like this, it makes it much more interactive,” she said. “It’s a good thing for a good cause.”

The Southeast Family YMCA is located at 1000 Weatherly Road in Huntsville.  For more information on the health fair, contact Allen at (256) 883 YMCA [9633] or email her at Sharon.Allen@YmcaHuntsville.org